Residential and Commercial Electricians – How Do Their Jobs Differ?
When hiring an electrician to handle any type of electrical work, homeowners or business owners should always be sure they are hiring the right contractor.
Residential electricians and commercial electricians are both qualified professionals but in different sectors of the industry.
Based on the different requirements of these two fields, each receives separate licensing to work in their respective sectors.
This brief description of these two professions explains how they differ and why it is important to call the right expert for the job.
1. Educational Requirements
Becoming an electrician electrician requires extensive education and training, as it is a dangerous profession that demands attention to detail and many other skills.
Both commercial and residential electricians are required to undergo the same training in a trade school or undergraduate training; however, after completion their training paths will differ.
Both will also continue on to an apprenticeship in their different fields, and then be able to take the relevant Master Electrician exam, but commercial electricians are required to complete considerably more hours of on-the-job training than residential contractors.
Some commercial electricians may then decide to continue their education and pursue an electrical specialty.
2. Compliance Standards, Regulations, and Licensing
In terms of regulations and licensing, while both commercial and residential electricians must adhere to strict compliance standards relating to the work they are licensed to perform, how they must perform it, and even as far as the components and equipment they can use, commercial standards and regulations are much stricter.
Commercial electricians must adhere to a more stringent safety standard and are required to carry higher insurance simply due to the grander scope of their work.
Master electricians in both sectors are licensed by their local municipality and state.
3. Services and Work Environments
While commercial and residential electricians both complete essentially the same work, it tends to look different due to the scope of the jobs and the equipment used.
Each handles wiring, installation, problem diagnosis, as well as inspections and can interpret technical blueprints, but at different voltage levels, which is the main difference.
Residential electricians perform their duties in residential homes, while commercial contractors work in commercial and industrial settings such as retail buildings, office buildings, hospitals, and others.
4. Job Differences
Residential electricians work only with high-voltage systems of between 120 and 240 volts as well as smaller plastic-sheathed wiring systems, all of which are standard residential grade.
Commercial electricians work with high-voltage systems of 240 volts and higher as well as larger tube conduit wiring systems.
The difference in voltage systems requires commercial electricians adhere to stricter safety procedures and frequently to install backup power sources in addition to their routine work.
Overall, commercial contractors typically work on much larger projects in comparison to those that residential contractors are involved in.
Residential and Commercial Electricians - Similar But Different
While any commercial electrician can usually execute the same work that a residential electrician does, the opposite is not true.
Still, residential contractors are more skilled and efficient at handling their work just the same.
In either case, the best electrician for the job is a well-trained contractor who is licensed in their field, whether that is in residential services or commercial.
Home and building owners in need of electrical services should choose the appropriate one for their needs.